Week Two Team of the Week

Week Two Team of the Week

Who makes it into the Deep Extra Cover Team of the week after the Easter round of LV= County Championship fixtures?

Some brilliant matches again this week in both divisions of the LV= County Championship, some amazing performances in victories, drawn matches and even in defeat, but who has done enough to make the deepextracover.com team of the week?

  1. Ben Compton (Kent) 104* and 115

Making his second appearance in two weeks, Compton deserves every accolade after his performance this week in ultimately a losing cause against Lancashire. He was on the field for every ball of the game, carrying his bat in the first innings for an unbeaten 104 out of 260. Then in the second innings he was last man out, to what looked a poor decision, for an expertly crafted 115 which ensured in the very least Lancashire would have to bat again.

  1. Tom Haines (c) (Sussex) 41 and 243

“Captain’s innings” is a term bandied about quite a lot. However, when Tom Haines walked to the crease on the morning of day three, his side following on, facing a deficit of over 300 runs and staring defeat in the face, that is exactly what Haines delivered. He batted for six minutes short of 11 hours, faced 491 balls and ensured his side could not be beaten. His only disappointment would be not being there at the end, when 20 minutes later they shook hands on a draw

  1. Shan Masood (Derbys) 239

When you make an overseas signing you want them to make an impact. They should bring you something you don’t already have and with the signing of Masood Derbyshire appear to have that. Masood exudes calm at the crease, that calm permeates to others and allows them to play around him. He takes the pressure off others too. His 239 off 340 balls in this innings allowed the rest of the side to amass over 500 runs and set the side up to push for victory.

  1. Cheteshwar Pujara (Sussex) 6 and 201*

Like Haines, Pujara came to the crease knowing his side were up against it: they had been bowled out in two sessions the day before and a similar performance would mean defeat. However, cometh the hour, cometh the man and Pujara set about batting 467 minutes and 387 balls for his unbeaten 201 and ensured his side avoided their second defeat in two weeks.

  1. David Bedingham (Durham) 191

When you have a break out season like David Bedingham had last season, it’s essential you follow it up the season after quickly and he has taken no time at all in doing that. His 191 runs out of his side’s 428 were impressively put together and scored off just 256 balls. They allowed his side to set a first innings score large enough and quick enough to progress the game and create a chance of victory.

  1. Ben Duckett (Notts) 122 and 95

A few years ago Duckett was opening the batting for England. Since then he has fallen down the pecking order, however performances like his this week could see him propelled back into the England reckoning. His 217 runs could not give his side victory, but those runs did put them in a position that meant they could have won and without those runs the match would have been over far sooner.

  1. James Bracey (Gloucs) (WK) 5 and 177; 4 dismissals

Another of England’s seemingly forgotten men also gave the scouts and selectors a nudge this week, as James Bracey scored 177 runs in the second innings to set Yorkshire a testing victory target. Like Duckett however it was in vain as his side lost out on day four; but again like Duckett, without his runs, Gloucestershire would have succumbed to defeat far sooner.

  1. Craig Overton (Som) 7-57 and 6-30, and 8 and 2

Overton played in the last Test Match for England and his figures in this low scoring loss to Essex showed why he plays for his country. He took an impressive 13 wickets in the match at under sevens per wicket. The way he did it was equally impressive too. He showed great control and utilised the conditions perfectly. Somerset will be hoping he can continue throughout the season and Overton will be hoping he can retain his place in the England set up.

  1. Jamie Overton (Surrey) 5-53 and 3-54 and 5

Since Jamie moved to Surrey, he has been unable to play in the same side as his brother, however they are in this side together after both being in the wickets. Unlike brother Craig, Jamie’s efforts were in victory as his eight wickets helped dismiss Hampshire twice and give Surrey an innings win. His eight wickets cost just over 13 runs a piece and without them Surrey may well have been struggling.

  1. Shane Snater (Essex) 1-28 and 6-36 and 8 and 9

When Jamie Porter was left out of the Essex side with Snater preferred a few eyebrows were raised. However, after his performance this week, those eyebrows will be lowered as Snater bowled his side to victory over Somerset. His six wickets in the second innings at a cost of six runs, like Overton, exploited the conditions perfectly and helped his side to the narrowest of wins.

  1. Matt Parkinson (Lancs) 4-66 and 3-92 and 15*

Parkinson may not be forgotten by England but he may only be remembered for his winter carrying drinks. This week Parkinson showed exactly what he is capable of, bowling with great control, moving the ball both ways and taking the wickets of high quality international batters. And pushing his side to victory. If he continues to bowl like this it will be the attack he is carrying and not the drinks for England before too long.

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